There are times – many times – when I wish that I could pull a mini Mary McKenna out of my pocket and use her expertise. In the olden days it would have been for her to hit an exocet of a 2-iron through a Ballybunion breeze (aka near gale) to the heart of a distant green that I could never reach; nowadays it would be for her photographic skills.
I was trying to snap the hordes of happy bees on the sister’s majestic lavender but made a very poor fist of it with my ageing i-Pad. Still, lavender at its summer best is always a treat, hence its appearance here, with no apologies.
Almost caught the red admiral in full flow; the bees seem invisible.
The two main differences between me and McKenna were – still are – talent and application. The former will take you a long way at a certain level but to be up there with the very best you need the latter in bucketloads. Application on its own will also take you a good distance and it and perseverance and resilience are very useful skills if you want to be a professional golfer – or anybody in any walk of life, really.
This is a recurring theme as the regular reader will know only too well and there was a prime example of all those virtues at the BMW International Open in Munich, one of the European (DP World) Tour’s premier events. The crowds were terrific, which was testament to the growth of German golf over many years and they had a few locals to cheer on, albeit not quite at the sharp end of the proceedings. Bernd Wiesberger, who finished third, is close but as an Austrian not quite close enough.
It looked for all the world as though Hennie Du Plessis was going to break through for his first victory in Europe after a wheen of second places. He dropped a shot at the17th, a fiendish par three and parred the last, a par five of the risk-and-reward variety – i.e. there’s water lurking for the wayward – for a round of 66, six under par. Surely his total of 17 under par would be enough? However, as he waited with his family, excited anticipation started to turn to real anxiety.
Out on the course (where else?), another South African was threatening to spoil the Du Plessis party and sure enough he did. Michael Hollick, a 39-year old rookie still feeling his way around an unfamiliar European schedule, finished birdie, eagle to snatch the trophy and leave Du Plessis – and himself – in a state of disbelief.
Michael Hollick, stunned but happy, with his trophy. [Getty Images]
Eugenio Chacarra, the young Spaniard whose confidence has yet to take any sort of hit, was attempting to join Seve and Sir Nick as the only players to win three consecutive European Tour events but he missed the cut. However, he still finished top of the Tour’s European Swing, to snag a bonus of $200,000, among other things. What’s more, that very week, his sister Carolina kept the family name at the top of the leaderboard by winning the Hulencourt Women’s Open in Belgium. She’s a rookie also playing on the LPGA after succeeding at both Q-Schools in December.
Happiness is cuddling a trophy. [LET/Tris Jones, I think]
Well, she’s competing at the Amundi Evian Championship this week high above Lake Geneva and will also be playing in the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes, less picturesque but unquestionably one of the great golf courses, one of my favourites.
Let’s hope Carolina gets to a great age and is still in love with golf. Today (Friday 10th July) Bridget Jackson, the pride of Staffordshire (other places may try laying claim but we’re not letting her go), is celebrating her 90th birthday. If there’s anything Bridget doesn’t know about the game, it’s unlikely to be worth knowing. She’s been at or near the top since she won the British Girls’ in 1954, played in the Curtis Cup and became an administrator of distinction. I’m not going to list her achievements, mainly because I don’t have the room but also it’s not necessary: it’s her essence that is the key. Simply, Bridget is brilliant; she is the best. Thanks for everything.
Two great champions and former Curtis Cup players, Ann Howard, left, and Bridget at the match at Conwy.
Now, you’ll have noticed that there’s been no mention of football this week but I just have to say that I doubt England have ever had a better result than their 3-2 victory against Mexico in Mexico City. It was a match that had everything; you really could not have made it up; thrilling did not do it justice. Beyond brilliant. Who knows if they’ll beat Norway but that should be another cracker. Off to watch France against Morocco.
Viva el futbol.
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